Representative Douglas V. Sagers proposes the following substitute bill:


1     
EPILEPSY TRAINING IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS

2     
2015 GENERAL SESSION

3     
STATE OF UTAH

4     
Chief Sponsor: Douglas V. Sagers

5     
Senate Sponsor: ____________

6     

7     LONG TITLE
8     General Description:
9          This bill provides for the administration of a prescribed seizure rescue medication to a
10     public school student under certain circumstances.
11     Highlighted Provisions:
12          This bill:
13          ▸     provides for the administration of a prescribed seizure rescue medication to a public
14     school student under certain circumstances;
15          ▸     allows a school employee who is not a licensed health professional to administer a
16     prescribed seizure rescue medication to a public school student under certain
17     circumstances; and
18          ▸     requires the Department of Health to:
19               •     create a seizure medication/management order authorization form; and
20               •     develop competency standards for a school employee who is not a licensed
21     health professional to administer to a public school student under certain
22     circumstances a prescribed seizure rescue medication.
23     Money Appropriated in this Bill:
24          None
25     Other Special Clauses:

26          None
27     Utah Code Sections Affected:
28     ENACTS:
29          53A-11-603.5, Utah Code Annotated 1953
30     

31     Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
32          Section 1. Section 53A-11-603.5 is enacted to read:
33          53A-11-603.5. Administration of a prescribed seizure rescue medication --
34     Training of volunteer school personnel -- Authority to use a prescribed seizure rescue
35     medication -- Immunity from liability.
36          (1) As used in this section, "seizure medication/management order authorization"
37     means a statement signed by a physician and a parent or legal guardian of a student with
38     epilepsy that:
39          (a) certifies that the student with epilepsy:
40          (i) has a prescription for a seizure rescue medication;
41          (ii) may receive the prescribed seizure rescue medication when the student experiences
42     full body convulsive seizure activity associated with a loss of consciousness;
43          (iii) has previously received the prescribed seizure rescue medication in a
44     non-medically supervised setting by the student's parent or guardian without a complication;
45          (iv) has previously ceased having full body convulsive seizure activity as a result of
46     receiving the prescribed seizure rescue medication;
47          (b) requests that the public school of the student with epilepsy identify and train school
48     employees who volunteer to receive training in administering a prescribed seizure rescue
49     medication in accordance with this section;
50          (c) authorizes a trained school employee to administer a prescribed seizure rescue
51     medication to the student with epilepsy in an emergency, in accordance with this section; and
52          (d) specifies the seizure rescue medication for which the student has a prescription.
53          (2) The Department of Health, in cooperation with the State Board of Education, shall:
54          (a) create a seizure medication/management order authorization form for a public
55     school to use in accordance with this section; and
56          (b) develop standards to assess whether a school employee who receives training under

57     Subsection (3) is competent to administer a prescribed seizure rescue medication.
58          (3) A public school:
59          (a) shall, within a reasonable time after receiving a seizure medication/management
60     authorization, require a school nurse or other qualified licensed medical professional, as
61     determined by the local school board or charter school governing board, to provide training in
62     administering a prescribed seizure rescue medication to school employees who volunteer to
63     receive training;
64          (b) shall permit all willing school employees who are 18 years or older to receive
65     training in administering a prescribed seizure rescue medication;
66          (c) shall provide annual refresher training to a school employee who volunteers to
67     receive training under Subsection (3)(a); and
68          (d) may not obstruct the identification or training of a volunteer under this Subsection
69     (3).
70          (4) (a) The training described in Subsection (3) shall be specific to the prescribed
71     seizure rescue medication indicated on a student's seizure medication/management order
72     authorization and include:
73          (i) techniques for recognizing a seizure symptom specific to a student with a seizure
74     medication/management order authorization;
75          (ii) standards and procedures for the storage and competent administration of a
76     prescribed seizure rescue medication;
77          (iii) other emergency procedures in the event a school employee administers a
78     prescribed seizure rescue medication, including calling 911 and contacting the student's parent
79     or guardian;
80          (iv) written material covering the information described in this Subsection (4)(a); and
81          (v) an assessment that determines whether a school employee who receives the training
82     meets the Department of Health standards described in Subsection (2)(b).
83          (b) A public school shall retain for reference the written materials described in
84     Subsection (4)(a)(iv).
85          (5) (a) A public school shall permit a school employee to securely store on school
86     property or possess a prescribed seizure rescue medication for a student with a seizure
87     medication/management order authorization if the school employee:

88          (i) receives the training described in Subsection (4)(a); and
89          (ii) demonstrates competency in accordance with the Department of Health standards
90     described in Subsection (2)(b).
91          (b) A school employee may not remove a prescribed seizure rescue medication from
92     secure storage except to:
93          (i) administer the medication to a student who has a seizure medication/management
94     order authorization;
95          (ii) return the medication to a parent or guardian of a student who has a seizure
96     medication/management order authorization;
97          (iii) for a student who is 18 years or older and has a seizure medication/management
98     order, return the medication to the student;
99          (iv) give the medication to a school nurse; or
100          (v) bring the medication to a school field trip, sporting event, or other event in which
101     the student with a seizure medication/management order is participating.
102          (6) (a) A school employee who receives training under Subsection (3) may administer a
103     prescribed seizure rescue medication at school or a school activity to a student with a seizure
104     medication/management order authorization if:
105          (i) the student exhibits a symptom that warrants administering a prescribed seizure
106     rescue medication; and
107          (ii) a licensed health care professional is not immediately available.
108          (b) A school employee who administers a prescribed seizure rescue medication in
109     accordance with Subsection (6)(a) shall:
110          (i) direct another individual to call 911; and
111          (ii) take other appropriate actions in accordance with the training described in
112     Subsection (4)(a).
113          (7) A school employee who provides or completes training or administers a prescribed
114     seizure rescue medication under this section in good faith is not liable in any civil or criminal
115     action for an act taken or not taken under this section.
116          (8) Section 53A-11-601 does not apply to the administration of a prescribed seizure
117     rescue medication in accordance with this section.
118          (9) Section 53A-11-904 does not apply to the possession or administration of a

119     prescribed seizure rescue medication in accordance with this section.
120          (10) The unlawful or unprofessional conduct provisions of Title 58, Occupations and
121     Professions, do not apply to a person licensed as a health professional under Title 58,
122     Occupations and Professions, including a nurse, physician, or pharmacist who, in good faith,
123     trains nonlicensed volunteers to administer a prescribed seizure rescue medication in
124     accordance with this section.